Myrna Fearer: Circling the Square

Sunday

Dec 26, 2010 at 12:01 AMDec 26, 2010 at 2:46 PM

Can you believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow night? I can’t. It seems like it was just a short time ago that we were complaining about the heat. (I know, I know, some of you tried to tell me to just wait until winter when I would be complaining about the cold and the snow.) As I sit writing this column Wednesday, it looks like we’ll be having a White Christmas after all.

Myrna Fearer

Circling the Square appears in the Danvers Herald on Thursdays - hence the reference to Christmas Eve being tomorrow.

Can you believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow night? I can’t. It seems like it was just a short time ago that we were complaining about the heat. (I know, I know, some of you tried to tell me to just wait until winter when I would be complaining about the cold and the snow.) As I sit writing this column Wednesday, it looks like we’ll be having a White Christmas after all.

***

Many of the Kiwanians and I, an honorary Kiwanian, did our annual Christmas Caroling Sunday afternoon; in Santa hats I’ll have you know. It’s always such a rewarding thing to do, especially since our locations are so very meaningful. We started out at Kiwanis President Kay Maurice and Roger Deveau’s Locust Street home where we had some refreshments and libation to lubricate our throats before singing at our first location, Radius Health Care on the corner of Liberty Street and Route 62.

***

Then it was off to Bright View assisted living where we intended bringing some cheer in song to the residents, including, we thought, Phil Jefferson, who was a resident. Phil, a longtime member of Kiwanis, had served in many different capacities in town, including at the former Hunt Hospital. Phil suddenly passed away Friday, however, we still sang at Bright View in his honor. Our condolences to the Jefferson family.

***

We next went to Kaplan Family Hospice House, a visit I find very emotional. For some reason, it affected me even more this year. Perhaps it was because of a relatively young woman patient who was wheeled from her room by her family, and a somewhat older couple. He sat on the chair while his wife, an attractive woman in a lovely robe, sat on his lap. There was so much love in that corridor and so much hope even when there really isn’t much to be happy about. I wish them all comfort as they end their days on Earth and peace to the loved ones who will have only their memories to sustain them. The one positive is the compassionate care they and all the other patients and families receive at the Kaplan House from all those good people at Hospice of the North Shore.

***

Then we made our annual visit to the Discalced Carmelite Monastery on Mt. Carmel Road. I love those nuns and, oddly, they even love us. Each year, they kindly encourage us on, applauding even when we goof. Each and every one of them is a delight with a wonderful sense of humor. And, best of all, their prayers are very powerful.

***

Our final stop was at the home of Mike and Janice Tipert where we serenaded very longtime Kiwanian Mike. It is always difficult to visit people either homebound or in hospital settings this time of the year. We wish them all, and their families, a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

***

We came full circle, ending up back at Kay Maurice’s where we all enjoyed Roger Deveau’s incredible homemade soups and Kay’s Kahlua trifle. Kay’s family, Barbara and Gary Collins. Though Dan and Jan Bennett usually join us for the singing, they came late because, would you believe, it was Dan’s 32nd birthday. (Would you believe 42nd?) Oh heck, what difference does age make? It’s how you feel and how you act and that makes Dan very young.

***

Before I forget and it’s already next year, we want to congratulate Joe Palmer who was named president of North Shore Elder Services Board of Directors. Serving on his board is another special Danvers person, John Keohane. Tom Leonard, whom we are glad to report is doing much better, is a relatively new board member. For that reason alone, Tom has got to hurry and get well.

***

Boy this holiday social season is winding down fast. Before it ends, however, I have to share two parties with you that I wasn’t able to before because of space constraints. Several weeks ago, John Keohane, who is an associate at Northeast Health System (Beverly Hospital), hosted a wine tasting for associates at his shop, Henry’s Wine Cellar, next to Henry’s Market in North Beverly. It was a very well wonderful with delicious wines accompanied by super hors d’oeuvres and cheeses. Now I know just how wonderful those wine tastings are that John donates to many nonprofits for their fundraising auctions.

Another memorable party was the one hosted by John and Sean Doyle of Doyle Insurance. It was held at Radici Ristorante. The food was superior, the company delightful and the evening terrific. For John, the best part was the generous collection of toys that were donated by attendees for Toys for Tots.

***

Usually John Doyle hires a caricaturist too do guest caricatures. After an awful one several years ago, I avoided them until this year. I love mine, especially since it doesn’t even look like me — it’s very flattering. Maybe John Doherty, the caricaturist, did a great job because, as it turned out, I know his mother-in-law quite well. In fact, many of you probably do, also. It’s Cynthia Garber, former writer for the Salem News.

***

I have to apologize to John Archer who was kind enough to invite me — and most of his bazillion friends — to his Christmas party this year, which I was unable to attend. I’m sure it was lots of fun.

***

Last week, when I mentioned that there were no pretty Christmas stamps at the Post Office, I didn’t mean to imply that they were out of stamps. I was told someone came in and said that she was glad to see they had stamps again because I had said there were no more. Anyway, the Postal Service has made up for me it in spades. The other day I went home with 30 “Angel with Lute” stamps I absolutely love. In fact, since I used most of them up, I have to go back for more.

***

To me, the stamp looks like a Renaissance painting. I was so impressed that I Googled “Angel with Mandolin,” which is what I thought it was. The original painting was part of a fresco, now in the Vatican Art Museum, by 15th century artist Melozzo da Forli. The design was adopted for the US Postal Service by Terrence McCaffrey and was released in October.

***

The one thing that did disturb me, however, is a Website where you can order this same painting with the addition of a dog, any kind you want. They also have T-shirts and mugs. I find this terribly tacky but then again, what can you expect from a company that thinks an artist, whose life span goes from 1438-1494, was a 14th century artist?

***

Kudos to Gayla Bartlett, a Danvers Kiwanian who works for Cranney Self Storage, for assisting Santa (Bruce Symmes) at the Liberty Tree Mall on behalf of DEEP. Gayla volunteered for many different shifts because Simon Malls has committed to donating 80 percent of the pictures with Santa to DEEP. The other 20 percent goes to the Simon Youth Foundation charities.

***

As you clean your closets and drawers in preparation for Christmas and the New Year, you may find clothes you or your family have outgrown, small household items, books and shoes, you would like to donate but don’t know where. You might think of the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. The foundation will be picking things up in Danvers on Wednesday, Dec. 29. All your donations are tax deductible. Call 1-800-483-5503 to arrange for a pickup or for more information.

***

If you love the Patriots — and who around here doesn’t? — this will be your last chance to get in on the Danvers YMCA’s Last Chance Raffle for 2010. Prize is two terrific tickets to a Pats game against the Miami Dolphins that comes with free parking, special indoor tailgate party, a special entrance to the game and 10 percent off anything in the Souvenir shop. Tickets are $5 for one and $25 for seven. Pick them up at the Y on Pickering Street or call 978-774-2055. Drawing is Dec. 30. Fundraiser made possible by Mike and Susan Brien to help provide financial assistance at the Y.

I hope most of you skaters will lace up your skates and get out on the ice at the Meadow this Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Cheryl Marshall of the Recreation Department, and lots of her helpers, are bringing back the Winter Carnival. Show your support, get out on the ice, and let everyone know you want the Meadow to continue to be the skating spot of choice in Danvers.

***

And now, as the hours fly by, for us not the kids who are anxiously waiting for Santa, we at the Danvers Herald want to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas. Peace and Blessings to all.